Am I Overly Sensitive to Noise?

        I try hard not be be an irritable old woman, constantly complaining about every little thing, especially in this blog, which is supposed to focus on cross-cultural comparisons.  But some venting is in order here, though I'm going to try hard to keep it "fair and balanced," like the Fox TV Network in the USA (Ha, ha!)  

     One of the most noticeable differences between Japan and Malaysia, it seems to me, is the tolerance for noise and what the nationals of each country find acceptable.  Coming back to Penang after a few months in Japan, I've found myself even more intolerant of ambient noise than usual.  So let me muse about it here, please.  
   

 First, let me point out that both countries have their own versions of noise pollution.  Take Japan, for instance.  Personally, I would maintain that Japan is a blessedly quiet country, one where you can ride a train or dine in almost-unearthly silence (unless junior high school kids are present).  It's a place where at night, except for the occasional "bosozoku" motorcycle rider, it's sosilent you can sleep, and even sleep in.  But then, I live out in the countryside where it's pretty unusual to have as many as three cars waiting in a line for the traffic light to change.  I enjoy that peace and tranquility.

    Others would disagree, saying that Japan is full of noise pollution.  But I maintain that on the personal level, the Japanese are generally quiet and like a peaceful atmosphere. However, I'll admit that on the official level, it's another story, especially when it comes to public safety.  Schools' PA systems blare out disaster-preparedness sounds to test them.  There are endless recorded announcements about standing behind the yellow line on train platforms, about how to ride an escalator safely, about being careful of this, that or the other thing.  Trucks have a whole vocabulary of beeps, announcements and warning sounds when they're about to make a turn, back up, or do anything besides go forward in a straight line. Stores are full of recorded messages about products for sale. Some run incessantly, while others are motion-sensor activated. They only bug you as you pass by, which is probably appreciated by the clerks who have to work within earshot of them. Buses and trains have plenty of recorded announcements which, by the way, are appreciated by the blind, at least the ones about when and where the transport will stop next.  Yup--many would declare Japan to be a really noisy country.

   In fact, recently there's been a big furor in Japan because the ever-increasing elderly population is becoming quite vociferous about and intolerant of the noise produced by children playing or students doing their extracurricular activities.  Check out this link for an interesting article about this problem.  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/04/national/hey-kids-keep-it-down-graying-japan-annoyed-by-childrens-noise/#.UhvGBxxNCAY
Despite the fact that there are fewer and fewer kids born in Japan these days, there are more and more senior citizens who object to the cheerful sounds they produce.  What a conundrum, especially if it gives already-reluctant couples even one more reason not to reproduce! 

     So how about Malaysia?  Well, I don't think there's anyone who would claim that this "cheerfully chaotic" country is anything but noisy! Traffic, hawkers, groups of young people out celebrating a friend's birthday, kids shrieking and running around. Raucous mobile phone ring tones.  Even the bird calls are loud, varied and continuous, at least in the mornings.  But they're one of the things I love most about living where we do.  It's like living in the aviary at a zoo!  And some of those birds will reply if even an amateur like me calls out to them.  But I digress. . . . 
    
   What I surmise -- and I'm not alone, of course -- is that Malaysians have a higher tolerance for noise than people of many other countries.  Perhaps they don't even hear it.  In fact, they might even think something was wrong if they didn't.  If you've grown up with the five-times-a-day calls-to-prayer from Muslim mosques, I guess you'd think something was wrong if they suddenly disappeared. Personally, I think they're a wonderful part of the multi-cultural diversity of Malaysia.  But then, I'm not living right next to a mosque; you'd hear quite a different opinion from my expat friends who do. 

    In my next post, I want to tell you about my recent success at extinguishing a particularly irritating source of noise pollution.  Stay tuned!